The Origin and History of International Women's Day
International Women's Day, also known as UN Women's Rights and International Peace Day or UN Women's Rights and International Peace Day, is celebrated on March 8th each year to honor the significant contributions and achievements of women in various fields such as economics, politics, and society.
The holiday originated from a massive strike and demonstration held by female workers in Illinois, Chicago, and workers in the textile and garment industry across the United States on March 8, 1909.
They demanded wage increases, an 8-hour workday, and suffrage. This marked the first organized mass struggle of working women in history, demonstrating their power.
The struggle received widespread sympathy and warm response from women's masses in other countries around the world, ultimately achieving victory.
Before the outbreak of World War I, the shadow of war loomed over the world, with imperialist powers attempting to partition colonies. In August 1910, the Second International Women's Congress of Socialists was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Representatives from 17 countries attended the meeting, mainly discussing issues such as opposing imperialist militarism, defending world peace, protecting women and children's rights, and fighting for an 8-hour workday and women's suffrage.
The meeting was proposed by Clara Zetkin, a famous German socialist revolutionary and outstanding communist fighter, to designate March 8th as the International Women's Struggle Day, which was unanimously supported by the delegates. Since then, March 8th has become the holiday for women around the world to fight for their rights and liberation. March 8, 1911, marked the first International Women's Day.
【International Women's Day in China】
The first "March 8th" commemoration in China was held in 1924. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, labor women in Guangzhou held commemorative meetings and parades. The meeting was chaired by the pioneer of China's women's movement, He Xiangning, who proposed slogans such as "Down with imperialism" and "Protect women and children." This event demonstrated the awakening and strength of Chinese labor women.
In December 1949, the Central People's Government Council designated March 8th as Women's Day. According to the Regulations on National Holidays and Commemorative Days for Some Citizens to Take Holidays issued by the State Council (State Council Decree No. 270), Women's Day (March 8th) is a holiday and commemorative day for some citizens, and women are entitled to half a day off.